Klein Steel names new president

Klein Steel Service Inc. has a new president. Todd Zyra replaces retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who has been named president and CEO of Buffalo Armory LLC, a Buffalo-based company co-owned by Batiste and Klein Steel chairman and CEO Joseph Klein.

Batiste will continue as a member of the Klein Steel board of advisers, the company said Friday.

Buffalo Armory is a manufacturer of armor and high-strength steel, branded Star Armor and Star Steel, for both defense and commercial purposes.

“When we first launched Buffalo Armory, it was part of Klein Steel,” said Batiste, in a statement. “But as the new company matured and the Star product was refined, it was our goal to separate the businesses.

“Buffalo Armory is built on the strength of Klein Steel,” he added.

Klein was named Klein Steel president in 2005. In 2011, he also was named CEO, replacing Joseph Klein.

Zyra joined Klein Steel in 2008 as operations manager. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer.

Before joining Klein Steel, Zyra held positions in several large national firms such as Cintas Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc., now a wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint Corp.